Chapter 2: Is God In Control?

1 Tim 6:15

After witnessing tragedy in his own life, Rabbi Harold Kushner makes comments about in his well known book titled: When Bad Things Happen To Good People.

Rabbi Kushner concludes that the author of the book of Job was "forced to choose between a good God who is not totally powerful, or a powerful God who is not totally good. Rabbi, chose to believe in God’s goodness".

Rabbi Harold: "God wants the righteous to live peaceful, happy lives, but sometimes even He can't bring it about. It is too difficult even for God to keep cruelty and chaos from claiming their innocent victims."

Many, Like the Rabbi, have the same assumption and call any misfortune chance or Fate:
They falsely believe that:

If God is both powerful and good, why is there so much suffering?

God is either good and not all powerful, or He is powerful and not all good.

They think you can't have it both ways.

Providence

Bible teaches both; theologians call it The Providence of God.

Some misunderstandings of it:

Often referred as such when good things happen or work together right.

Rarely does one say bad things that happen are the providence of God.

Unconsciously or deliberately imply God intervenes in sporadic intervals in our lives.

We wrongly assume we are victims of circumstances, uncaring people or our own mistakes.

Historically seen as God's care and governance of all creation

J.L. Packer: The unceasing activity of the Creator, where by, in overflowing bounty and goodwill, He upholds His creatures in ordered existence, guides and governs all events, circumstances, and free acts of angels and men, and directs everything to its appointed goal, for His own glory. (underlined words to emphasize absolute terms)

Author's condensed version: God's providence is His constant card for and His absolute rule over all His creation for His own glory and the good of His people.

Two fold objective: His own glory and the good of His people.

These two are always in harmony- never pursues His glory at the expense of the good of His people nor visa versa.

Comfort and encouragement to understand that in the midst of adversity:

God will not allow any thing to subvert His glory

God will not allow any thing to subvert the good he is working in us.

Answers the question "Can you trust God?"

God Sustains

God not only created the universe, but also sustains it. Heb 1:3/ Col 1:17

Noting exists of its own inherent power

He sustains the world

All of the various forces of this world continue because he wills it.

Stars continue in their course because of him Is. 40:26

He gives life to everything Neh. 9:6

Supplies rain and causes growth, provides for animals. Ps. 147:8-9

Sustains you and me

Gives all men breath 'In Him we live, and move and have our being' Acts 17:25-28

Daily food 2 Cor 9:10

Our times Ps 31:15

God Governs

Ruler of all things 1 Chron 29:12

Only Ruler 1 Tim 6:15

He does as He pleases Dan 4:35

No one is outside of God's sovereign will.

Augustine: "Nothing happens unless the Omnipotent wills it to happen. He either permits it to happen or He brings it about himself."

As God's rule is invincible it's also incomprehensible. Is 55:9/ Rom. 11:33

We often question God's sovereignty because we don't understand His ways or thoughts

God or Chance?

Thus, divine providence: God sustaining and governing His universe, bringing all events to their appointed end.

Most people, especially non-Christians rule both of these out.

One book on managing crisis says: You should view and plan for the inevitability of a crisis.. out of the strength that comes from knowing you are prepared to face life and play the hand that fate deals you…

Rabbi Kushner gives more examples of randomness in the universe and this world. He claims it is the result of luck.

He also refers to the statement of 'Acts of God' as taking God's name in vain as all of nature is morally blind, and without value. Thus any act by 'it' is purely by chance.

Many Christians also hold to a doctrine saying God is sovereign but chooses not to exercise it daily in our lives. Thus, we are subjected to pain and suffering.

This author does agree that we are subjected to sin, pain and suffering, but not because God has chosen not to be sovereign, but that He is sovereign over all areas.

Just as He is sovereign over the sparrow, he is over all minute details of our lives, no matter what it appears as.

Blasphemous statement by someone: Chance is the pseudonym that God uses when He'd rather not sign His own name.

Good But Not Sovereign

Many believe now-a-days that God is good but not sovereign. They can not understand how a loving God could allow pain or suffering so they’re conclusion is that God is frustrated by it as much as we are. He cries along side us due to His inability to change the situation.

i. "No one can hold back his hand or say to him: "What have you done?"' Dan. 4:35 Our belief in God has to come from the Bible, not our interpretation of our situation.

It's not an easy doctrine to believe these days. Raw reality assaults this comforting and optimistic belief.

Summary of Chapt. 2: All people experience frustration and hardship; some minor, and some catastrophic. But we have the confidence that our suffering is under the control of an all powerful and all knowing God.